November 10, 2004|By Gail Scudder Special to The Morning Call - Freelance

West Easton officials are working to reduce a possible 41 percent real estate tax increase in the 2005 budget.

Borough Manager Richard Foster last week said he is trying to cut expenses in the $453,000 spending plan to reduce the millage rate. The budget will be discussed at the December council meeting.

The budget draft calls for a possible 2.5-mill increase, from 6 to 8.5. That means homeowners could pay an additional $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed value on their property. For example, the tax bill on a property assessed at $50,000 would go from $300 to $425.

Two of the major expenses for the 2005 budget are police protection and garbage disposal.

Wilson, which had been providing police protection to West Easton under contract for six of the last nine years, said it would charge $330,900 over the next three years. The borough instead accepted Easton's three-year bid of $324,900, saving the borough $6,000.

Costs for garbage pickup by Waste Management Inc. of Plainfield Township will increase from $70,300 to $114,510 for 2005.

The borough's five employees will receive a 3 percent cost-of-living increase, Foster said.

Foster said $30,000 remains from this year's budget for resurfacing roads.

Because Wilson canceled all services to the borough after the police contract change, West Easton bought a new heavy-duty vacuum for leaf disposal at a cost of $8,830 and is asking Easton to supply and store salt for the winter, with the borough salting its own roads, Foster said.

Also last week, council increased its yearly contract with the Northampton County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals from $750 to $880.

Brian Foulk was appointed assistant zoning officer so he can prosecute zoning violations.